County corruption: Dimora sentencing delayed until July 30

AKRON -- The sentencing of convicted former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora has been delayed several days.

The sentencing, originally scheduled for 9:30 a.m. July 25, has been delayed until 9:30 a.m. July 30.

The court allowed the delay after the father-daughter team of attorneys who represent Dimora -- Andrea and Bill Whitaker -- said they were involved in another trial that was running longer than expected.

They asked the court to delay Dimora's sentencing for several days so they had time to prepare their sentencing recommendations.

Friday afternoon, U. S. District Judge Sara Lioi agreed.

Dimora, 56, of Independence, was found guilty of 33 of 34 counts on March 9 and was immediately taken into federal custody.

Except for spending three days in St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown following a fall, he has been in the Northeast Ohio Correctional Institution since then.

Dimora faces at least 20 years in prison.

Sentencing for his co-defendant Michael Gabor Jr, 52, of Parma, will be on July 27, immediately following a 9:30 a.m. forfeiture hearing.

Prosecutors are asking that Gabor's Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) pension be forfeited.

Gabor worked for former Cuyahoga County Auditor Frank Russo and was also a driver for Dimora. Gabor was found guilty on March 9 on 7 of 8 counts and was also immediately taken into custody and has been at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Institution.